Worcester police called water a 'dangerous weapon' at an ICE arrest. The DA dropped the charge
A disqualified Worcester School Committee candidate who sprayed water from a baby bottle on a Worcester police officer during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation on May 8 will no longer face charges of using a dangerous weapon.
Worcester Police Officers arrested Ashley R. Spring on Eureka Street on May 8, the same day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested a 40-year-old Brazilian mother of three at the same location.
Spring, who uses they/them pronouns, was charged on May 9 with a felony of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, which was in reality a baby bottle with water inside.
Spring told MassLive that this felony charge had prevented them from re-applying as a contracted nurse for Worcester Public Schools for next year.
"I lost my job at Worcester Public Schools," Spring said. "As a single parent with two children, the only job that I can actually work is in the school system."
Worcester Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for information.
Spring was also charged with a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery on a police officer as well as disorderly conduct and interfering with police officers — charges that remain in effect.
On July 23, the prosecution, represented by the Northwest District Attorney's office, put forward a motion in Worcester District Court to dismiss the dangerous weapon charge, saying he did not believe he could prove it. After consulting with Spring's attorney, Carl Williams, Judge Jennifer Ginsburg agreed to drop the charge.
A motion to dismiss hearing was set for Sept. 25.
In their initial report, the Worcester Police Department wrote that Spring directly pointed and sprayed an " unknown liquid " at police officers as they were arresting the daughter of the detained Brazilian mother.
In footage from body cameras worn by police officers at the scene, however, Officer Juan Vallejo stated that the liquid was, in fact, water .
Footage from Vallejo's body camera shows the officer approaching Spring and pointing his finger at them, listing charges for another officer: "Disorderly, disturbance, and she sprayed me in the face with water."
As he moves away from her, the audio catches Spring saying, "It was water."
Following the hearing, Spring, with tears in their eyes, was embraced by supporters and loved ones. They told MassLive that their life had been challenging following their arrest and arraignment.
Spring's job at Worcester Public Schools was as a contracted nurse. When the school year ended, their contract expired, meaning they would have to apply for a new contract if they wished to continue working the following year.
They said that they can't reapply for another contract because of the felony charge — the same charge that was dropped on Wednesday.
Spring said they are thankful for those in the community who support them. Some users on social media shared a post asking others to donate to Spring.
"We're going to fight," Spring and their lawyer said.
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Read the original article on MassLive .
